I have a blog that I keep updated - I do not update this site very often, sorry!!
"Why are domestic horses feet so weak and in need of protection? Have we breed the feet "out" of our horses? Do we use them too hard? Absolutely not! Ironically, in the parts of the world where horses are heavily used for daily work and transportation, a shoe is a very rare sight. Any horse can be conditioned to outperform his former self, often with no hoof protection whatsoever! A horse hoof is highly adaptive and tough. Both wild horses and naturally kept horses can move 20-25 miles a day everday. the natural habitat of modern breeds is actually rough and rocky. Such an enviroment shapes and tempers the hoof into a short, rock hard perfection that would delight an farrier, vet,or horse owner. It's creates the perfect hoof!
WHY DO WELL-MAINTAINED SHOD HORSES OFTEN DEVELOP PROBLEM FEET?
As explained, a shod hoof is always excessively long. A skilled farrier trims the hoof to it's optium size and shape, but once the shoe is applied, the hoof is still growing and can't wear away. So, technically, the next day the hoof is too long. Research has shown that excessive growth, for a variety of reasons, contributes significantly to lameness. Shod horses thus suffer the same adaptive "ailments" as those horses with untrimmed neglected hooves. Moreover, new reserch shows that the mere presence of the shoe subjects the hoof to unnatural and harmful concussion, sensory depervation (and hypersensitivity when the shoes are removed), suppersion of cirulation, and pathological contraction. Shoeing is uncompatible with natural hoof care.
WHAT IS THE "NATURAL TRIM" AND WHAT ARE THE BENIFITS?
- It is readily applied to domestic equines of all breed, ages and equestrian displines
- It enables horses kept on small acreges or in paddocks to have naturally, healthy shaped feet
- When used in conjunction with natural horsekeeping practices, it can produce near perfect hovves free of lameness
- It enhances the natural gaits and movements of the horse
- It enables horses suffering from acute and chronic lamintis (founder), navicular, contracted heels, wall splits, brittle and shelly hooves, and all manner of lameness, to recover and achieve healthy, strong hooves without shoes
- Using the natural trim with properly fitted horse boots as needed there is no reason to shoe your horse again."
-Andrew Leech, CP
http://www.geocities.com/andrewsallaroundhorses/